Wire cutter tool with integral insulation piercing circuit tester

Abstract

A tool for diagnosing and repairing defective wires. The tool is configured as a pair of pliers, wherein the pliers have the ability to cut, strip and twist wire. The pliers also contain two different piercing probes. The first piercing probe extends away from the body of the pliers, thereby enabling the pliers to be used as a circuit testing probe. The second piercing probe is located at a specific point on the jaws of the pliers. When a wire is placed in the jaws of the pliers at that point, the wire becomes pierced by the second piercing probe as the plier jaws close. The force at which the second piercing probe is biased against the wire is determined by the degree of manual force applied to the handles of the pliers. As either piercing probe pierces the insulation surrounding a wire, the body of the pliers is brought to the same electrical potential as the wire. A wire lead extends from the pliers and connects to a ground potential at a remote location. The pliers contain a current flow indicator that is capable of providing a perceivable indication as to the flow of current though the pliers.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A tool comprising: 
       two conductive elements, each having a jaw section and a handle section;  
       a pivot connecting said conductive elements together, wherein said jaw section and said handle section of each of said conductive elements are oriented on either side of said pivot, thereby enabling said conductive elements to be selectively rotated about said pivot between a closed condition where said jaw section of each of said conductive elements abut and an open condition where said jaw section of each of said conductive elements are separated;  
       a retractable first conductive piercing probe mechanically and electrically coupled to one said jaw section, said first conductive piercing probe being selectively positionable between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein said first conductive piercing probe protrudes beyond said jaw section when in said extended position and does not extend beyond said jaw section when in said retracted position;  
       a second conductive piercing probe mechanically and electrically coupled to one said jaw section;  
       a relief defined in one said jaw section opposite said second conductive piercing probe, wherein said second conductive piercing probe extends into said relief when said conductive elements are in said closed condition;  
       a current flow indicator electrically coupled to one of said conductive elements; and  
       a flexible wire electrically coupled to said current flow indicator, whereby any flow of current through said conductive elements to said flexible wire passes through said current flow indicator.  
     
     
       2. The tool according to  claim 1 , wherein said first conductive piercing probe has a sharpened tip at one end. 
     
     
       3. The tool according to  claim 2 , wherein said first conductive piercing probe is pivotably coupled to one said jaw section, thereby enabling said first conductive piercing probe to be selectively rotated between said extended position and said retracted position. 
     
     
       4. The tool according to  claim 1 , wherein each said jaw section contains a sharpened cutting region that aligns when said conductive elements are in said closed condition. 
     
     
       5. The tool according to  claim 1 , wherein each said jaw section contains wire stripping reliefs that align when said conductive elements are in said closed condition. 
     
     
       6. The tool according to  claim 1 , wherein each said jaw section has a gripping region that aligns when said conductive elements are in said closed condition. 
     
     
       7. The tool according to  claim 1 , wherein each said handle section contains crimping regions that align when said conductive elements are in said closed condition. 
     
     
       8. The tool according to  claim 1 , wherein said flexible wire terminates with a clamp at a point remote from said conductive elements. 
     
     
       9. The tool according to  claim 1 , wherein said current flow indicator is selected from a group consisting of incandescent lights, LEDs, gauges and audible indicators. 
     
     
       10. The tool according to  claim 1 , wherein said first conductive piercing probe and said second conductive piercing probe are affixed to one said jaw section with a single common mechanical fastener. 
     
     
       11. A pair of pliers, comprising: 
       a pair of handles;  
       a pair of jaws coupled to said handles wherein said jaws can be selectively moved between an open condition and a closed condition by the selective manual manipulation of said handles;  
       a retractable first probe coupled to one of said jaws, said retractable first probe being selectively positionable between an extended position, where said first probe extends beyond said jaws, and a retracted position, where said first probe does not extend beyond said jaws;  
       a second probe extending from one of said jaws toward the other; and  
       a current flow indicator electrically coupled to both said first probe and said second probe wherein said current flow indicator provides a perceivable indication as to the flow of current through either probe.  
     
     
       12. The pliers according to  claim 11 , wherein said first probe has a sharpened point at one end. 
     
     
       13. The pliers according to  claim 12 , wherein said first probe is coupled to said pliers with a pivot that enables said first probe to be selectively rotated between said extended position and said retracted position. 
     
     
       14. The pliers according to  claim 11 , wherein said jaws both contain a sharpened cutting region that align when said jaws are in said closed condition. 
     
     
       15. The pliers according to  claim 11 , wherein said jaws both contain wire stripping reliefs that align when said jaws are in said closed condition. 
     
     
       16. The pliers according to  claim 11 , wherein said jaws both contain a gripping region that align when said jaws are in said closed condition. 
     
     
       17. The pliers according to  claim 11 , wherein said handles contain crimping regions that align when said handles are in said closed condition. 
     
     
       18. The pliers according to  claim 11 , wherein said handles contain regions covered with an electrical insulating material. 
     
     
       19. The pliers according to  claim 11 , further including a flexible wire electrically coupled to said current flow indicator. 
     
     
       20. The pliers according to  claim 11 , wherein said current flow indicator is selected from a group consisting of incandescent lights, LEDs, gauges and audible indicators.